Reckless Bravery - Alikchi vs Cruft II (CHS)
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
RE: 2/1/42
I think the amount of oil destroyed when a base is captured depends on the number of engineers at the base, plus a small random factor. (See Herbieh's ARR for what bad luck can do to you..) As a result I have several base forces in Palembang. [:D]
2/2/42
Today was, thankfully, a bit quiet.
2/2/42
India/Burma: Nothing new here.
China: Yes!! [:D] Cruft failed to attack for the last few days and as a result most of my Kaifeng/Honan army has slipped past his roadblock and is already in Honan. About half will stay and protect Honan while the toughest corps head east to join the battle at Linfen. Eeexxxcellent...
I realize that I've left Kaifeng behind with a minor garrison (two fairly exhausted corps and an HQ) but I'd rather lose a recent gain than have my rear broken into.
In the south, the Hankow armies have reached their jumping-off points and will begin moving towards the city tomorrow.
Malaya: Bombardments at Johore Bahru.. Singapore airbase is repairing quite slowly. I'll turn off fort-building until we're all patched up.
The Philippines: I am engaged at both Manila and Bataan now. Manila has about 500 supplies; Bataan has absolutely none. Grah.
Also, Butuan was captured by an SNLF today - it was my last "safe" anchorage in the Philippines and the launching point of my PT boats in Mindanao. Now both are gone. Cagayan continues to hold out, however... the Filipinos there have learned much about the art of war after repulsing an earlier Japanese attack.
DEI: LBA out of Bandoeng (my principal airbase in the DEI, other than Soerabaja) attacked a Japanese cruiser TF near Pontianak today. No hits were scored but it was good practice. My Borneo Martins (launching from Balikpapan and Samarinda) are doing rather better - a hit was scored on a PG near Brunei earlier today which caused "Severe Casualties due to Deck Explosion". Cool. I think he's already bringing oil out of Brunei and that one base east of it, so I've vectored in subs to the area.
Other than that, no action here today... I kinda hope he tries a sweep of Palembang again. I have even more aircraft in the air now and the pilots have good experience.
SWPAC: Another bomb hit by the Hudsons, this time on an AP. One of the Hudsons drivers has nearly 80 experience now... [8D]
SOPAC: He continues to bomb Suva, yadda yadda, no interesting movements to report. I'm sure his Kates have a ridiculous level of experience now.
CENTPAC: No action - Tambor almost bagged ML Yaeyama between Enwietok and Truk. I think I'll move more subs onto this route (it's a straight line on Andrew's map) in the future. Tambor is jigging a bit so Cruft doesn't have her location locked...
NORTHPAC: Building, building, building.
2/2/42
India/Burma: Nothing new here.
China: Yes!! [:D] Cruft failed to attack for the last few days and as a result most of my Kaifeng/Honan army has slipped past his roadblock and is already in Honan. About half will stay and protect Honan while the toughest corps head east to join the battle at Linfen. Eeexxxcellent...
I realize that I've left Kaifeng behind with a minor garrison (two fairly exhausted corps and an HQ) but I'd rather lose a recent gain than have my rear broken into.
In the south, the Hankow armies have reached their jumping-off points and will begin moving towards the city tomorrow.
Malaya: Bombardments at Johore Bahru.. Singapore airbase is repairing quite slowly. I'll turn off fort-building until we're all patched up.
The Philippines: I am engaged at both Manila and Bataan now. Manila has about 500 supplies; Bataan has absolutely none. Grah.
Also, Butuan was captured by an SNLF today - it was my last "safe" anchorage in the Philippines and the launching point of my PT boats in Mindanao. Now both are gone. Cagayan continues to hold out, however... the Filipinos there have learned much about the art of war after repulsing an earlier Japanese attack.
DEI: LBA out of Bandoeng (my principal airbase in the DEI, other than Soerabaja) attacked a Japanese cruiser TF near Pontianak today. No hits were scored but it was good practice. My Borneo Martins (launching from Balikpapan and Samarinda) are doing rather better - a hit was scored on a PG near Brunei earlier today which caused "Severe Casualties due to Deck Explosion". Cool. I think he's already bringing oil out of Brunei and that one base east of it, so I've vectored in subs to the area.
Other than that, no action here today... I kinda hope he tries a sweep of Palembang again. I have even more aircraft in the air now and the pilots have good experience.
SWPAC: Another bomb hit by the Hudsons, this time on an AP. One of the Hudsons drivers has nearly 80 experience now... [8D]
SOPAC: He continues to bomb Suva, yadda yadda, no interesting movements to report. I'm sure his Kates have a ridiculous level of experience now.
CENTPAC: No action - Tambor almost bagged ML Yaeyama between Enwietok and Truk. I think I'll move more subs onto this route (it's a straight line on Andrew's map) in the future. Tambor is jigging a bit so Cruft doesn't have her location locked...
NORTHPAC: Building, building, building.
2/3/42
2/3/42
India/Burma: Sonias, escorted by Oscars, are beginning to bomb my troops at Moulmein. I'm hitting their airbase at Moulmein tomorrow with B-17s and Blenheims.
Oh, took care of my British withdrawal today. Sent off CL Caldeon and two 'P' class DDs. Dammit, Churchill, I'm low on destroyers already! Ask for Royal Sovereign or something. [:'(]
China: Nothing has changed, but I'm pleased that I have managed to escape Cruft's vise.
I didn't catch his bombers though - the AVG didn't launch. [:(] Ah, well.
Malaya: Another deliberate attack at Johore Bahru - forts are down to three. However we're 95% of the way to level 4 so I should recover a bit.
Once I hit level 2 or 1 forts I am running for Singapore...
The Philippines: Bataan fell today, on his very first attack. 15,000 starving American and Filipino troops march into captivity... erk.
Speaking of starving, Manila is down to zero (0) supplies as well. Ack. Well, at least Manila has good forts and stronger units.. these guys haven't been retreated yet.
DEI: He has captured Weda and landed at Morotai, both bases on the small landmass to the east of Menado and north of Amboina. Nothing much there but they are stepping stones in the Amboina direction...
I hope I'll be able to get my minelayers into Amboina without having them torpedoed. Regardless, I'll make the attempt.
Oh, and I'm sending several of CHS' small AKs (400-450 capacity, very cool) to Teloekebetong (or something; the base and the very southern tip of Sumatra). I'm hoping that when Palembang falls I'll be able to use these small, manueverable ships to evacuate the retreating units, piece by piece, to Java. I'll leave some large APs there as well to try and evacuate larger chunks but even fragments would be nice.
SWPAC: No bomb hits today. [:(] Better luck tomorrow!
Aircraft (P-40Es, P-39s and B-17s) all destined for Port Moresby and Australia just left Papaete. They'll bounce off Auckland and then head straight for their respective destinations.
SOPAC: Other than convoy management, nothing much. We are again down to 0 supplies at both Pago Pago and Suva. I expect the Kiwis to start faltering now.
CENTPAC: Shuffled some aircraft around towards Christmas Island - I want to recon Canton Island, but it's just -barely- out of range. Hmm..
I've been thinking about sending my American CVs to raid Wake or the Marshalls. I know the KB's position has been fixed now, and it's been bombing Fiji and/or Samoa for a looong time. Maybe I can grab an opening?
NORTHPAC: 42nd Fighter Squadron is packed onto an AK and pointed towards Attu Island - the base should be halfway to level 2 by the time they get there.
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Screenshots!
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His new bases in the DEI, Weda and Morotai.
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The China situation.
India/Burma: Sonias, escorted by Oscars, are beginning to bomb my troops at Moulmein. I'm hitting their airbase at Moulmein tomorrow with B-17s and Blenheims.
Oh, took care of my British withdrawal today. Sent off CL Caldeon and two 'P' class DDs. Dammit, Churchill, I'm low on destroyers already! Ask for Royal Sovereign or something. [:'(]
China: Nothing has changed, but I'm pleased that I have managed to escape Cruft's vise.
I didn't catch his bombers though - the AVG didn't launch. [:(] Ah, well.
Malaya: Another deliberate attack at Johore Bahru - forts are down to three. However we're 95% of the way to level 4 so I should recover a bit.
Once I hit level 2 or 1 forts I am running for Singapore...
The Philippines: Bataan fell today, on his very first attack. 15,000 starving American and Filipino troops march into captivity... erk.
Speaking of starving, Manila is down to zero (0) supplies as well. Ack. Well, at least Manila has good forts and stronger units.. these guys haven't been retreated yet.
DEI: He has captured Weda and landed at Morotai, both bases on the small landmass to the east of Menado and north of Amboina. Nothing much there but they are stepping stones in the Amboina direction...
I hope I'll be able to get my minelayers into Amboina without having them torpedoed. Regardless, I'll make the attempt.
Oh, and I'm sending several of CHS' small AKs (400-450 capacity, very cool) to Teloekebetong (or something; the base and the very southern tip of Sumatra). I'm hoping that when Palembang falls I'll be able to use these small, manueverable ships to evacuate the retreating units, piece by piece, to Java. I'll leave some large APs there as well to try and evacuate larger chunks but even fragments would be nice.
SWPAC: No bomb hits today. [:(] Better luck tomorrow!
Aircraft (P-40Es, P-39s and B-17s) all destined for Port Moresby and Australia just left Papaete. They'll bounce off Auckland and then head straight for their respective destinations.
SOPAC: Other than convoy management, nothing much. We are again down to 0 supplies at both Pago Pago and Suva. I expect the Kiwis to start faltering now.
CENTPAC: Shuffled some aircraft around towards Christmas Island - I want to recon Canton Island, but it's just -barely- out of range. Hmm..
I've been thinking about sending my American CVs to raid Wake or the Marshalls. I know the KB's position has been fixed now, and it's been bombing Fiji and/or Samoa for a looong time. Maybe I can grab an opening?
NORTHPAC: 42nd Fighter Squadron is packed onto an AK and pointed towards Attu Island - the base should be halfway to level 2 by the time they get there.
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Screenshots!
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His new bases in the DEI, Weda and Morotai.
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The China situation.
RE: 2/3/42
ORIGINAL: Alikchi
2/3/42
India/Burma: Sonias, escorted by Oscars, are beginning to bomb my troops at Moulmein. I'm hitting their airbase at Moulmein tomorrow with B-17s and Blenheims.
Oh, took care of my British withdrawal today. Sent off CL Caldeon and two 'P' class DDs. Dammit, Churchill, I'm low on destroyers already! Ask for Royal Sovereign or something. [:'(]
China: Nothing has changed, but I'm pleased that I have managed to escape Cruft's vise.
I didn't catch his bombers though - the AVG didn't launch. [:(] Ah, well.
Malaya: Another deliberate attack at Johore Bahru - forts are down to three. However we're 95% of the way to level 4 so I should recover a bit.
Once I hit level 2 or 1 forts I am running for Singapore...
The Philippines: Bataan fell today, on his very first attack. 15,000 starving American and Filipino troops march into captivity... erk.
Speaking of starving, Manila is down to zero (0) supplies as well. Ack. Well, at least Manila has good forts and stronger units.. these guys haven't been retreated yet.
DEI: He has captured Weda and landed at Morotai, both bases on the small landmass to the east of Menado and north of Amboina. Nothing much there but they are stepping stones in the Amboina direction...
I hope I'll be able to get my minelayers into Amboina without having them torpedoed. Regardless, I'll make the attempt.
Oh, and I'm sending several of CHS' small AKs (400-450 capacity, very cool) to Teloekebetong (or something; the base and the very southern tip of Sumatra). I'm hoping that when Palembang falls I'll be able to use these small, manueverable ships to evacuate the retreating units, piece by piece, to Java. I'll leave some large APs there as well to try and evacuate larger chunks but even fragments would be nice.
SWPAC: No bomb hits today. [:(] Better luck tomorrow!
Aircraft (P-40Es, P-39s and B-17s) all destined for Port Moresby and Australia just left Papaete. They'll bounce off Auckland and then head straight for their respective destinations.
SOPAC: Other than convoy management, nothing much. We are again down to 0 supplies at both Pago Pago and Suva. I expect the Kiwis to start faltering now.
CENTPAC: Shuffled some aircraft around towards Christmas Island - I want to recon Canton Island, but it's just -barely- out of range. Hmm..
I've been thinking about sending my American CVs to raid Wake or the Marshalls. I know the KB's position has been fixed now, and it's been bombing Fiji and/or Samoa for a looong time. Maybe I can grab an opening?
NORTHPAC: 42nd Fighter Squadron is packed onto an AK and pointed towards Attu Island - the base should be halfway to level 2 by the time they get there.
Ah the temptation! Dont do it! Its a trap! [:D]
Check out my mod for Strategic Command American Civil War!
https://forums.matrixgames.com/viewtopic.php?t=413785
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Tom Hunter
- Posts: 2194
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:57 am
RE: 2/3/42
Raid carefully it is good for your ships and pilots and it hurts the Japanese
RE: 2/3/42
Ah the temptation! Dont do it! Its a trap!
Raid carefully it is good for your ships and pilots and it hurts the Japanese
Thanks for your input guys [:)] I think I'll raid the Wake area - or, if my CVs aren't spotted by the time I near Wake, I'll head farther east.
It'll be a while before my CVs make it all the way from the West Coast though.. and I still don't have a suitable number of DDs available. We will see.
Update soon tonight -
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CapAndGown
- Posts: 3078
- Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2001 10:00 am
- Location: Virginia, USA
RE: 2/3/42
Has Cruft set up a interlocking search network? He seems rather anal about most things. I would expect him to have a quite complete search network going by now.
2/4/42
I'm sure he has Mavises and Emilies everywhere. Luckily Wake is far enough from the Kido Butai in the South Pacific that he couldn't respond in time (as of now, at least).
In any case the raid won't be launched for a long time; not enough DDs right now and way too many convoys that need ASW. Perhaps come April after the CV upgrades.
Oh, right, the AAR. Herewego -
2/4/42
India/Burma: Attack on Rahaeng achieved nil; trying again tomorrow. Blah!
I have plans for the RN CVs. Oh, I have plans. [:-]
China: My Changsha horde reaches Hankow and automatically shock attacks after crossing the river, argh. Disruption and casualties are high. The Ichang horde will arrive tomorrow aand then we should outnumber the Japanese by nearly 3-1... If I can take Hankow (level 7 forts) then I've taken his primary airfield in central China.
Of course, actually taking Hankow isn't particularly likely, especially since reinforcements are easily on hand for him (I think). Still, I can distract him.
Malaya: Johore Bahru fell. [:(] Looks like my Commonwealth troops lost heart after Kuala Lumpur. We're down to about 280 assault points in Singapore and I expect the Japanese to arrive soon. Once they start attacking, the RAF starts leaving...
I'm reading "Bloody Shambles" right now.. I'm surprised the RAF has held together this long. I suppose it's because I'm an amazing commander. [:'(]
The Philippines: Nothing new - bombardments at Manila; still no supplies.
DEI: No action this turn, other than O19 and O20 dropping off mines at Kuching. I've dispatched the remnants of the Asiatic Fleet in the DEI (2 CLs, 4 DDs) to Teloeketebong or whatever. Hopefully he won't notice it and I'll be able to send in a quick sortie towards Palembang or Singkawang if necessary.
SWPAC: Only one bomb hit today, this time on a destroyer. In todays email, Cruft refers to the Rabaul beauforts as "a pain in the ass." [:D]
SOPAC: Nothing new here..
CENTPAC: Again, nothing new.
NORHTPAC: Still nothing, sorry!
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Looks like Malaya and the Phillipines are about to fall.
In any case the raid won't be launched for a long time; not enough DDs right now and way too many convoys that need ASW. Perhaps come April after the CV upgrades.
Oh, right, the AAR. Herewego -
2/4/42
India/Burma: Attack on Rahaeng achieved nil; trying again tomorrow. Blah!
I have plans for the RN CVs. Oh, I have plans. [:-]
China: My Changsha horde reaches Hankow and automatically shock attacks after crossing the river, argh. Disruption and casualties are high. The Ichang horde will arrive tomorrow aand then we should outnumber the Japanese by nearly 3-1... If I can take Hankow (level 7 forts) then I've taken his primary airfield in central China.
Of course, actually taking Hankow isn't particularly likely, especially since reinforcements are easily on hand for him (I think). Still, I can distract him.
Malaya: Johore Bahru fell. [:(] Looks like my Commonwealth troops lost heart after Kuala Lumpur. We're down to about 280 assault points in Singapore and I expect the Japanese to arrive soon. Once they start attacking, the RAF starts leaving...
I'm reading "Bloody Shambles" right now.. I'm surprised the RAF has held together this long. I suppose it's because I'm an amazing commander. [:'(]
The Philippines: Nothing new - bombardments at Manila; still no supplies.
DEI: No action this turn, other than O19 and O20 dropping off mines at Kuching. I've dispatched the remnants of the Asiatic Fleet in the DEI (2 CLs, 4 DDs) to Teloeketebong or whatever. Hopefully he won't notice it and I'll be able to send in a quick sortie towards Palembang or Singkawang if necessary.
SWPAC: Only one bomb hit today, this time on a destroyer. In todays email, Cruft refers to the Rabaul beauforts as "a pain in the ass." [:D]
SOPAC: Nothing new here..
CENTPAC: Again, nothing new.
NORHTPAC: Still nothing, sorry!
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Looks like Malaya and the Phillipines are about to fall.
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CapAndGown
- Posts: 3078
- Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2001 10:00 am
- Location: Virginia, USA
RE: 2/4/42
In Re SWPAC: Why is Cruft nibbiling at your periphery? He should have taken SS Detachment and gone right for Rabaul and cleaned up the other stuff later.
RE: 2/4/42
I couldn't tell you for certain but I think the diversion of the SSD to Suva (Operation Neck Tie) has thrown everything in that theatre out of wack. I should have P-40Es at Moresby before he grabs Rabaul.
Nibbiling away is a good way of putting it - Kavieng isn't particularly useful to him right now... I'm sure he has troops heading my way, though. He needs a strong force and he should have several SNLFs and other units free from the PI soon.
Nibbiling away is a good way of putting it - Kavieng isn't particularly useful to him right now... I'm sure he has troops heading my way, though. He needs a strong force and he should have several SNLFs and other units free from the PI soon.
RE: 2/4/42
ORIGINAL: Alikchi
I'm reading "Bloody Shambles" right now.. I'm surprised the RAF has held together this long. I suppose it's because I'm an amazing commander. [:'(]
Funny, I'm chomping through "Bloody Shambles" as well at the moment...
Anyway, great AAR, Tom. I head here first thing when I log on
ORIGINAL: Alikchi
I've dispatched the remnants of the Asiatic Fleet in the DEI (2 CLs, 4 DDs) to Teloeketebong or whatever.
Teloeketebong is referred to as Oestaven in "Bloody Shambles". Certainly comes off the tongue a bit easier. Mebbe we could persuade AB to change it[;)]
Where's the Any key?
RE: 2/4/42
Funny, I'm chomping through "Bloody Shambles" as well at the moment...
Anyway, great AAR, Tom. I head here first thing when I log on
Hey, thanks! [:)] I do my best to be moderately entertaining... [:D]
Bloody Shambles is very good (it's helping me with my scenario project, as well). Like it says on the inset - "A story of unpreparedness, panic, poor leadership and wishful thinking." And lucky me, I'm in charge.
Teloeketebong is referred to as Oestaven in "Bloody Shambles". Certainly comes off the tongue a bit easier. Mebbe we could persuade AB to change it
LOL, that'd be a smart move. [:D] I'm still basically guessing on the number of Es and Ts in that one...
No turn yet, so here's a bonus picture.
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A Zero on evening patrol east of the Japanese airbase at Menado.
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2/5/42
Here we go. [:)]
2/5/42
India/Burma: A few Buffalos engage Oscars over Moulmein and actually down one! That's worth posting. [;)]
No action otherwise. My Chinese airlift will be augmented by 8 further Dutch transports within the week.
China: Kaifeng fell on his first attack - of course I didn't have enough time to build forts. :/ Darn. Well, they've retreated in the right direction and will head back to Homan. It was fun!
In the center, he tried to deliberate attack me out of Hankow and failed. My other troops still haven't arrived.
In the south, I want Pakhoi back! Hurry up Chinese!
Malaya: No action here today, not even an air raid. I assume he's gearing up for the final push to Singapore...
I did take the silence as a chance to fly out most of the remainder of the RAF in Malaya. Two Australian Buffalo squadrons are in Java (Bandoeng and Soerabaja) and the Hurricanes have flown to Palembang. British Buffalos have flown north to Rangoon to augment the defence there. The only remaining aircraft are about 15 Hudsons and one last squadron of Aussie Buffs... they'll fly out as soon as all damaged aircraft are repaired.
The Philippines: No action here, either. A few enemy minesweepers tooting about and cleaning up Bataan for him...
DEI: Several raids were launched today. In the first 3 Martins escorted by 4 Buffalos made an attack at Tarakan. He'd put up a CAPof 12 Zeroes since I'd last been there, and I was expecting all my Dutchmen to tumble into the ground, but a Buffalo actually shot down a Zero and the rest stayed back! Of course, the Martins didn't hit anything, but still [:'(]
In Java I was less successful. A B-17 raid (launched from Bandoeng) on Singkawang's airfield met 15 Zeroes. 2/3rds of the attack force turned back and the 3 remaining aircraft scored only one runway hit. The B-17s' collective morale is terrible, so I'll give them a break.
SWPAC: Another bomb hit on DD Hayate. Neck Tie is definitely draining his resources... every day my Kiwis and Marines hold out is an extra day for New Britain and the Solomons. I should have sent the brigade I have at Noumea to Rabaul, wouldn't that have been a surprise [:D]
SOPAC: Convoy routing and more bombing from his CVs, yawn yawn. Papaete has 220 engineers. I expect it to grow quickly.
CENTPAC: Christmas Island hit port size 2.. we're building up very quickly here. [:)]
NORTHPAC: No action.
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Map time -
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Convoy routing system in the Pacific - Early February, 1942.
1. Convoy sets out from the West Coast with heavy ASW escort.
2. Short range escorts break off as the convoy passes Christmas Island and Palmyra. They will refuel and then return to the West Coast.
3. A massive convoy (5-6 TFs) on the way to India, carrying American aircraft.
4. Papaete, the next convoy "pit stop". Convoy will refuel here and then proceed directly west to Auckland.
5. BBs Mississippi and Idaho on their way to Auckland, which is gearing up to be a major USN staging point.
6. Auckland. From here the convoy will disperse to its specific destination, having traversed the Pacific safely, we hope. [8D]
7. Fiji - under attack by Japanese CVs and the South Seas Detachment.
8. Samoa - under attack by Japanese CVs. One landing repulsed; more sure to follow.
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2/5/42
India/Burma: A few Buffalos engage Oscars over Moulmein and actually down one! That's worth posting. [;)]
No action otherwise. My Chinese airlift will be augmented by 8 further Dutch transports within the week.
China: Kaifeng fell on his first attack - of course I didn't have enough time to build forts. :/ Darn. Well, they've retreated in the right direction and will head back to Homan. It was fun!
In the center, he tried to deliberate attack me out of Hankow and failed. My other troops still haven't arrived.
In the south, I want Pakhoi back! Hurry up Chinese!
Malaya: No action here today, not even an air raid. I assume he's gearing up for the final push to Singapore...
I did take the silence as a chance to fly out most of the remainder of the RAF in Malaya. Two Australian Buffalo squadrons are in Java (Bandoeng and Soerabaja) and the Hurricanes have flown to Palembang. British Buffalos have flown north to Rangoon to augment the defence there. The only remaining aircraft are about 15 Hudsons and one last squadron of Aussie Buffs... they'll fly out as soon as all damaged aircraft are repaired.
The Philippines: No action here, either. A few enemy minesweepers tooting about and cleaning up Bataan for him...
DEI: Several raids were launched today. In the first 3 Martins escorted by 4 Buffalos made an attack at Tarakan. He'd put up a CAPof 12 Zeroes since I'd last been there, and I was expecting all my Dutchmen to tumble into the ground, but a Buffalo actually shot down a Zero and the rest stayed back! Of course, the Martins didn't hit anything, but still [:'(]
In Java I was less successful. A B-17 raid (launched from Bandoeng) on Singkawang's airfield met 15 Zeroes. 2/3rds of the attack force turned back and the 3 remaining aircraft scored only one runway hit. The B-17s' collective morale is terrible, so I'll give them a break.
SWPAC: Another bomb hit on DD Hayate. Neck Tie is definitely draining his resources... every day my Kiwis and Marines hold out is an extra day for New Britain and the Solomons. I should have sent the brigade I have at Noumea to Rabaul, wouldn't that have been a surprise [:D]
SOPAC: Convoy routing and more bombing from his CVs, yawn yawn. Papaete has 220 engineers. I expect it to grow quickly.
CENTPAC: Christmas Island hit port size 2.. we're building up very quickly here. [:)]
NORTHPAC: No action.
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Map time -
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Convoy routing system in the Pacific - Early February, 1942.
1. Convoy sets out from the West Coast with heavy ASW escort.
2. Short range escorts break off as the convoy passes Christmas Island and Palmyra. They will refuel and then return to the West Coast.
3. A massive convoy (5-6 TFs) on the way to India, carrying American aircraft.
4. Papaete, the next convoy "pit stop". Convoy will refuel here and then proceed directly west to Auckland.
5. BBs Mississippi and Idaho on their way to Auckland, which is gearing up to be a major USN staging point.
6. Auckland. From here the convoy will disperse to its specific destination, having traversed the Pacific safely, we hope. [8D]
7. Fiji - under attack by Japanese CVs and the South Seas Detachment.
8. Samoa - under attack by Japanese CVs. One landing repulsed; more sure to follow.
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2/6/42
2/6/42
India/Burma: More bombing of Rahaeng, no real results other than a few dents in the runway and a few Blenheims embedded in the ground nearby. Oh, I've moved a squadron of Buffalos from Rangoon to Calcutta - they -really- needed a rest.
China: I have decided to "back off" on all Chinese fronts except Linfen and the North. This means the troops approaching Pakhoi and Hankow are turning about and returning to their starting points. Why? Well, I don't feel that I am accomplishing much by sending out these random attacks - there's very little chance of me taking and retaining either base - and I could really use some reinforcements in the northern theatre. Bases like Sian, Lanchow, etc. have very small garrisons compared to their Southern Chinese counterparts. Right now I'd rather have a small break to put my army together where I want it instead of launching pointless offensives.
Plus, it feels kind of gamey to be attacking when Cruft is playing so historically. [:'(]
Malaya: No attacks again this turn.
The Philippines: Just bombardments at Manila. I expect a deliberate attack soon...
DEI: Nothing but Martins bombing and missing. [;)] Their experience is going up.. hopefully by crunch time (defence of Java) they'll have become dangerous.
Minelayers still haven't been spotted on the approach to Amboina...
SWPAC: Nothing here this turn either; no bombings on either side.
SOPAC: He re-landed the Maizuru SNLF this turn at Pago Pago (I suppose he was resting it after the last failed attack) and swept the defenders clean. Surprisingly, the odds were only 2-1, considering that I had no supplies and had been bombed for weeks.. ah well. American Samoa is now Japanese Samoa. [X(]
An AP carrying a part of the 802nd EAB finally floundered at Papaete today. I knew the ship would sink if I tried to continue on to Auckland, and Papaete is getting close to level 3, so I decided to wait.. didn't work, d'oh.
CENTPAC: No action.
NORTHPAC: Again, no action.
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So, a fairly quiet turn, other than the fall of Samoa. Soon I'll have destroyers available at San Francisco for convoy duty. They'll augment my mixed American-Canadian MSW/PG/PC force.
Here's a look at Fiji and Samoa.
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Fiji (under siege by the South Seas Detachment) and Samoa (recently conquered by the Japanese). The Allied convoy route is only about half a dozen hexes south of this screenshot.
India/Burma: More bombing of Rahaeng, no real results other than a few dents in the runway and a few Blenheims embedded in the ground nearby. Oh, I've moved a squadron of Buffalos from Rangoon to Calcutta - they -really- needed a rest.
China: I have decided to "back off" on all Chinese fronts except Linfen and the North. This means the troops approaching Pakhoi and Hankow are turning about and returning to their starting points. Why? Well, I don't feel that I am accomplishing much by sending out these random attacks - there's very little chance of me taking and retaining either base - and I could really use some reinforcements in the northern theatre. Bases like Sian, Lanchow, etc. have very small garrisons compared to their Southern Chinese counterparts. Right now I'd rather have a small break to put my army together where I want it instead of launching pointless offensives.
Plus, it feels kind of gamey to be attacking when Cruft is playing so historically. [:'(]
Malaya: No attacks again this turn.
The Philippines: Just bombardments at Manila. I expect a deliberate attack soon...
DEI: Nothing but Martins bombing and missing. [;)] Their experience is going up.. hopefully by crunch time (defence of Java) they'll have become dangerous.
Minelayers still haven't been spotted on the approach to Amboina...
SWPAC: Nothing here this turn either; no bombings on either side.
SOPAC: He re-landed the Maizuru SNLF this turn at Pago Pago (I suppose he was resting it after the last failed attack) and swept the defenders clean. Surprisingly, the odds were only 2-1, considering that I had no supplies and had been bombed for weeks.. ah well. American Samoa is now Japanese Samoa. [X(]
An AP carrying a part of the 802nd EAB finally floundered at Papaete today. I knew the ship would sink if I tried to continue on to Auckland, and Papaete is getting close to level 3, so I decided to wait.. didn't work, d'oh.
CENTPAC: No action.
NORTHPAC: Again, no action.
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So, a fairly quiet turn, other than the fall of Samoa. Soon I'll have destroyers available at San Francisco for convoy duty. They'll augment my mixed American-Canadian MSW/PG/PC force.
Here's a look at Fiji and Samoa.
===
Fiji (under siege by the South Seas Detachment) and Samoa (recently conquered by the Japanese). The Allied convoy route is only about half a dozen hexes south of this screenshot.
2/8/42
Nothing happened on the 7th, so let's skip right to the 8th! [8D] Also: I am lazy.
2/8/42
India/Burma: Good lord the trails on Andrew's map must be annoying Cruft. They sure have been annoying me. His troops are STILL marching, I presume. My Lockheed 212s are being uncrated at Diamond Harbour right now. Once ready they'll join the Lodestars at Ledo...
China: Some interesting stuff today in Chinaland. First his troops from the Kaifeng junction have arrived at Honan and try an immediate deliberate attack. 0-1 odds, fort levels not reduced from 6, heavy Japanese casualties. I like. Reinforcements are being dispatched from the Sian/Lanchow area.
At Linfen my reinforcements have arrived for the most part. The numbers are back in my favor. Only an 8000 troop difference though (40,017 IJA vs 48,635 assorted Chinese)... plus he has more guns. The outcome remains to be seen.
Finally, he's been bombing Wuchow from Canton intermittently for a while. Today my Chinese did exceptionally well - I-16s and I-153s avoided the Oscar escort and shot down 13 Lilies for no loss! That should slow him down a bit. I've moved a squadron of the AVG down from Honan so that a) they don't get caught on the ground, assuming my defence fails and b) they can cash in on this lucrative Lily-shooting business.
Malaya: A small airfield attack on Singapore today - 19 Sallies escorted by 3 Oscars - did little damage, but now he knows I have no fighters left for CAP. I'm pulling out the remaining aircraft before he catches them on the ground.
The Philippines: No action today except bombardments at Manila.
DEI: I have something like a 40 fighter CAP at Palembang again. [:D]
Also, I think my decision to bring Soerabaja up to level 9 port is paying off. Part of my minelayer force reached Amboina today. Amboina started the day with no mines and ended it with 1,212. [:D]
However, Betties and Nells finally detected me from Menado and launched a strike, but luckily only with bombs - a few ships were hit but none are sunk. The damaged ones are heading south to Palembang while the others are heading back to Soerabaja or to Kendari (to lay mines there).
SWPAC: No action here today.
SOPAC: Mississippi and Idaho arrive at Auckland, and more convoy routing. No attacks anywhere in the Fiji area today, though.
CENTPAC: Pennsylvania is trundling along towards the West Coast at 5 knots and 74 sys damage with a heavy escort.. hope a sub doesnt' spot her. Speaking of, I haven't seen a sub off the west coast for weeks now..
NORTHPAC: Nope, nothing.
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All the Lilies went down to my uber-Chinese. Actually, mostly thanks to two lucky pilots.. one has 6 kills now and the other has 4.
===
2/8/42
India/Burma: Good lord the trails on Andrew's map must be annoying Cruft. They sure have been annoying me.
His troops are STILL marching, I presume. My Lockheed 212s are being uncrated at Diamond Harbour right now. Once ready they'll join the Lodestars at Ledo...China: Some interesting stuff today in Chinaland. First his troops from the Kaifeng junction have arrived at Honan and try an immediate deliberate attack. 0-1 odds, fort levels not reduced from 6, heavy Japanese casualties. I like. Reinforcements are being dispatched from the Sian/Lanchow area.
At Linfen my reinforcements have arrived for the most part. The numbers are back in my favor. Only an 8000 troop difference though (40,017 IJA vs 48,635 assorted Chinese)... plus he has more guns. The outcome remains to be seen.
Finally, he's been bombing Wuchow from Canton intermittently for a while. Today my Chinese did exceptionally well - I-16s and I-153s avoided the Oscar escort and shot down 13 Lilies for no loss! That should slow him down a bit. I've moved a squadron of the AVG down from Honan so that a) they don't get caught on the ground, assuming my defence fails and b) they can cash in on this lucrative Lily-shooting business.
Malaya: A small airfield attack on Singapore today - 19 Sallies escorted by 3 Oscars - did little damage, but now he knows I have no fighters left for CAP. I'm pulling out the remaining aircraft before he catches them on the ground.
The Philippines: No action today except bombardments at Manila.
DEI: I have something like a 40 fighter CAP at Palembang again. [:D]
Also, I think my decision to bring Soerabaja up to level 9 port is paying off. Part of my minelayer force reached Amboina today. Amboina started the day with no mines and ended it with 1,212. [:D]
However, Betties and Nells finally detected me from Menado and launched a strike, but luckily only with bombs - a few ships were hit but none are sunk. The damaged ones are heading south to Palembang while the others are heading back to Soerabaja or to Kendari (to lay mines there).
SWPAC: No action here today.
SOPAC: Mississippi and Idaho arrive at Auckland, and more convoy routing. No attacks anywhere in the Fiji area today, though.
CENTPAC: Pennsylvania is trundling along towards the West Coast at 5 knots and 74 sys damage with a heavy escort.. hope a sub doesnt' spot her. Speaking of, I haven't seen a sub off the west coast for weeks now..
NORTHPAC: Nope, nothing.
======
===
All the Lilies went down to my uber-Chinese. Actually, mostly thanks to two lucky pilots.. one has 6 kills now and the other has 4.
===
2/9/42-2/10/42
Geez, I'm slow with these AAR updates lately.. here we go.
2/9/42-2/10/42
India/Burma: A lot of ground unit shuffling - Southeast Asia HQ is moving to Dacca to better distribute supplies where they are needed. A base force is heading that way as well. Large RAF base units and HQs are heading to Ledo to support the growing airlift operation (Lockheeds flew in and began work today).
Oh yes, Resolution and Ramillies will be arriving soon, along with a nice CL and some DDs. The R-class ships will probably all sit in port, but my CVs will need those DDs if they are to go raiding...
China: Another very good day in the air for China today. Moving the AVG squadron to Wuchow paid off - today 13 Lilies and 4 Oscars fell to the guns of the AVG and the Chinese with no loss to the Allies. I'm starting to intensify bombing of the unit (units? recon is crap) in the hex between Canton and Wuchow. Several bomber grounds got new leaders and new orders today.
In Northern China, no action today, but my reinforcements are making their way towards Sian.
Malaya: A port attack was launched on Singapore today from Borneo. A bomb hit KVIII repairing in the harbor after a depth charge attack.. KVIII is heavily damaged (84 floatation, similar sys damage). No ground attacks though.
The Philippines: More bombardments at Manila. Screenshot is attached with the current situation...
SWPAC: The Japanese have landed.. at Tulagi! (?!) It fell on the 10th. And yet Rabaul still stands.
No bombs fall today, though. He's pulled out his ships, methinks. Darn...
SOPAC: No action.
CENTPAC: No action. Pleased with the state of things.
NORTHPAC: No action.
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Screenshots for today -
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The Solomons as of right now.
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The last Allied forces in Luzon face off against 100,000 determined Japanese.
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Aircraft losses for today..
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2/9/42-2/10/42
India/Burma: A lot of ground unit shuffling - Southeast Asia HQ is moving to Dacca to better distribute supplies where they are needed. A base force is heading that way as well. Large RAF base units and HQs are heading to Ledo to support the growing airlift operation (Lockheeds flew in and began work today).
Oh yes, Resolution and Ramillies will be arriving soon, along with a nice CL and some DDs. The R-class ships will probably all sit in port, but my CVs will need those DDs if they are to go raiding...
China: Another very good day in the air for China today. Moving the AVG squadron to Wuchow paid off - today 13 Lilies and 4 Oscars fell to the guns of the AVG and the Chinese with no loss to the Allies. I'm starting to intensify bombing of the unit (units? recon is crap) in the hex between Canton and Wuchow. Several bomber grounds got new leaders and new orders today.
In Northern China, no action today, but my reinforcements are making their way towards Sian.
Malaya: A port attack was launched on Singapore today from Borneo. A bomb hit KVIII repairing in the harbor after a depth charge attack.. KVIII is heavily damaged (84 floatation, similar sys damage). No ground attacks though.
The Philippines: More bombardments at Manila. Screenshot is attached with the current situation...
SWPAC: The Japanese have landed.. at Tulagi! (?!) It fell on the 10th. And yet Rabaul still stands.
No bombs fall today, though. He's pulled out his ships, methinks. Darn...
SOPAC: No action.
CENTPAC: No action. Pleased with the state of things.
NORTHPAC: No action.
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Screenshots for today -
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The Solomons as of right now.
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The last Allied forces in Luzon face off against 100,000 determined Japanese.
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Aircraft losses for today..
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CapAndGown
- Posts: 3078
- Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2001 10:00 am
- Location: Virginia, USA
RE: 2/9/42-2/10/42
Your mines may not work out as you plan. As the jap player, I would go for Buna over Shortlands. (At least, that is what I did) In which case, Shortlands may fall by default, revealing your mines before a single ship is hit.
How did you manage to get 300 mines there? DMs?
How did you manage to get 300 mines there? DMs?
RE: 2/1/42
ORIGINAL: Alikchi
I think the amount of oil destroyed when a base is captured depends on the number of engineers at the base, plus a small random factor. (See Herbieh's ARR for what bad luck can do to you..) As a result I have several base forces in Palembang. [:D]
AAAAAAAAARRRRGGHHHHH I feel the pain, Oh the pain!
herbieh
big seas, fast ships, life tastes better with salt
RE: 2/1/42
Your mines may not work out as you plan. As the jap player, I would go for Buna over Shortlands. (At least, that is what I did) In which case, Shortlands may fall by default, revealing your mines before a single ship is hit.
How did you manage to get 300 mines there? DMs?
Ack. I didn't realize that Shortlands could fall by connection with Buna. Hopefully he'll go for Shortlands first..
An Australian minelayer is in Brisbane or Sydney (I can't remember which) on 12/7 in CHS. I failed to notice it until recently... [8|]
AAAAAAAAARRRRGGHHHHH I feel the pain, Oh the pain!
herbieh
LOL [:D] Well hopefully my opponent will be feeling a bit as well. [;)] I really am enjoying your AAR.. very interesting.
In all honesty the base forces are there merely to support the huge number of aircraft there (95 or so). The engineers = no oil thing is an extra bonus.
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Tom Hunter
- Posts: 2194
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:57 am
RE: 2/1/42
Those old R class BBs have some of the best guns ever made, and they start with high (for the Allies) night fighting ratings.
They are a lot like George Forman when he did his comeback fight in the late 80s/early 90s. Not what they used to be but still have a hell of a punch if your opponent is dumb enough to walk into it.
They are a lot like George Forman when he did his comeback fight in the late 80s/early 90s. Not what they used to be but still have a hell of a punch if your opponent is dumb enough to walk into it.